Petition tabled to NT parliament for the suspension of surgical transition treatment of children

Parliament has received a petition with more than 450 signatures calling on the Finocchiaro Government to suspend gender transition treatments, as well as commission an independent inquiry into finding a “scientific” approach to treat gender dysphoria.

The official Opening and First Meeting of the 15th Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory.' Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

‘Woke ideology’ has led medical professionals astray, a petition tabled to parliament has claimed, calling on the Finocchiaro Government to suspend gender transition treatments, as well as commission an independent inquiry into finding a “scientific” approach to treat gender dysphoria.

On Thursday afternoon, newly elected Speaker Robyn Lambley presented a petition to parliament concerning “gender care provided to Territory children”.

Signed by 463 people, the petition is calling for the suspension of all medical and surgical transitioning treatments concerning Northern Territory children.

Additionally, the petition is calling for the NT Government to commission an independent inquiry into gender care with a view to investigate the legitimacy of gender treatments provided in the Territory and explore a “better and more scientific” alternative to treat gender dysphoria among children.

Newly elected Speaker Robyn Lambley presented the petition on Thursday afternoon. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

It is understood Ms Lambley, the Member for Araluen, was approached in September by the Australian Christian Lobby with the petition.

Australian Christian Lobby NT director Nicholas Lay claimed children were being subjected to “lifelong consequences”.

“Woke ideology has permeated professional medical care in the Northern Territory – a child cannot fully grasp and consent to lifelong consequences,” he said.

“Freedom of Information Requests across Australia reveal that children as young as three are being referred to gender clinics.

“I and the 462 other petitioners urge the incoming NT Government to protect our children from medical harm until they are older and able to better understand the risks of gender-affirming care more fully.”

Top End Pride, which works to empower queer Territorians and organises Darwin Pride, “vehemently condemned” the ACL’s calls.

“Gender-affirming care is not optional, dismissible, or removable—it’s essential. Denying access risks deepening stigma and marginalisation, and we vehemently condemn this,” Dr David Toro MD, chairperson Top End Pride said.

Transcend Australia CEO Jeremy Wiggins echoed Dr Toro’s comments.

“Calls for inquiries from extremist lobby groups with an ideological agenda to block access to essential healthcare services should be ignored. Families and their trans young people have a right to medical privacy and to have access to the healthcare they need,” Dr Toro said.

“The thousands of families we support deserve to know that their healthcare will continue to be available. This is not an area for religious or politically motivated intervention, particularly when there is significant evidence locally and globally to demonstrate the benefits of gender affirming healthcare on the physical and mental health of trans young people.”

The petition is calling on the Finocchiaro Government to address gender transition for young people. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The petition also asked its request for an independent inquiry be modelled on the UK’s Cass Review.

The Cass Review, published in April, 2024, is considered one of the largest reviews conducted into gender identity services for young people.

One of the Cass Review’s key findings was there was a lack of evidence in which to make clinical decisions, or for children and their families to make informed choices.

Northside Health practice owner Dr Danielle Stewart MBBS FRACGP said there was a clear and valid need for gender-affirming services in the Northern Territory, while Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown called on the Northern Territory government to reject calls for an inquiry.

She said the Cass review ignore the consensus of major medical bodies around the world and lacked relevance within an Australian context.

“These actions will only generate unnecessary and damaging debates and stand to harm an already vulnerable group of people when the evidence on the benefits of gender affirming care is clear and well-established,” Ms Brown said.

“We are calling on the government to read the evidence, listen to medical practitioners and reject this dangerous petition.” 

The petition has been referred to the public accounts committee.

Originally published as Petition tabled to NT parliament for the suspension of surgical transition treatment of children